Badrinath, Virat decode Lankan spin mystery

And this big positive from Dambulla will keep the team in high spirits when they move to Colombo to play the last three games of this ODI series. After Virender Sehwag was ruled out of the series, Gautam Gambhir was the only player in the ODI squad who seemed comfortable against the Lankan spin attack. But fortunately for India, the number has gone up now.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni too applauded the efforts of Virat and Badrinath. “Badrinath played really well. We all know that he is talented, and that’s why he is here in the team. He has played several good knocks for India ‘A’ and at the domestic level. Badri was under pressure when he came into bat but he played Murali and Mendis very well. He came in at a very crucial moment when team needed his contribution and he did well,” he said.

“It’s about taking up the responsibility and doing it. You might not have the experience of 100 matches but if you play some innings like this then you gain the experience of 40-50 matches. It’ about handling the pressure and delivering,” added Dhoni.

Kohli in the zone

Kohli started the process, and though he often played down the wrong line against the seamers, Mendis didn’t quite fox him. Of the 37 deliveries Mendis bowled to him, 11 were dots. On two ocassions, he plonked his foot forward to hit the spinner for boundaries, and not often was he beaten by the turn.

Badri, who had the job of staying at the wicket, played Muralitharan with distinct ease and against Mendis, he showed a tight defence.

“Dhoni and Badri took the match away from us,” Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene said. “We know Badri, he has experience at the domestic level and we knew his capabilities having seen him during the IPL.”